It could soon be time to consider ditching your Wi-Fi router and switching to something totally new. The team at Nokia has just announced a swathe of new internet devices, and they look set to make current technology seem stuck well in the past. The latest routers to come from the Finnish firm’s labs feature futuristic Wi-Fi 7 access. This much newer internet technology is not only capable of connecting more devices at once but it can also beam much faster speeds around homes.
In fact, Nokia is boasting that its most premium Beacon 9 device will be able to supply the web to smartphones, tablets, TVs and PCs at speeds in excess of 9.4Gbps.
At that rapid rate, which is around 100 times faster than the UK average, it would take seconds to download a full HD movie.
Along with that mighty Wi-Fi device, the company is also launching a slightly less powerful booster called the Beacon 4, which offers 3.4 Gbps speeds.
“Wi-Fi 7 is a pivotal new technology that will power the connected home of the future. Operators can now make Wi-Fi 7 a reality for customers, with two new affordable solutions that ensure multi-gigabit speeds are delivered to every corner of the home for the ultimate experience,” said Dirk Verhaegen, Head of Broadband Devices, Fixed Networks at Nokia.
Of course, to get those rapid downloads, you’ll need an Internet Service Provider (ISP) that offers broadband that fast in the first place.
Right now, most UK ISPs can only offer downloads at around 1Gbps, so even if you installed the Nokia router you won’t get 9Gbps speeds.
However, the UK’s infrastructure is getting better, with some ISPs, including Community Fibre, now offering internet access at 3Gbps.
Even better speeds are expected in the future, and it’s never a bad idea to future-proof your home and move away from Wi-Fi 5 routers.
In fact, recent advice from Broadband Savvy says all homes should check with their provider and see if an upgraded router is available.
Many homes are still using ageing Wi-Fi 5 routers, which simply can’t cope with modern needs. Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E offer big improvements, but it seems Wi-Fi 7 is now the future.
“Compared to more modern standards, like WiFi 6, 6E, and 7, WiFi 5 has significant limitations for the end-user,” Tom Paton, founder of Broadband Savvy explained.
There’s no word on a release date or price for Nokia’s new routers, but watch this space.